Detroit police officer Glenn Doss dies, days after being shot while on duty

"He fought a good fight. He is truly what we call one of Detroit's finest. He is what we call an American hero. He did what we expect each and every officer to do: Go out and serve this community with distinction and honor," said DPD Chief James Craig.
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Detroit Police Officer Glenn Doss died Sunday in the hospital days after being shot in the face while responding to a domestic call on the city's east side. He is shown holding his son.(Photo11: Family photo)

"As you now know, our officer just passed 45 minutes ago," Detroit Police Chief James Craig said outside the hospital Sunday afternoon. "He fought a good fight. He is truly what we call one of Detroit's finest. He is what we call an American hero. He did what we expect each and every officer to do: Go out and serve this community with distinction and honor."

Craig introduced Doss's father, who is also a Detroit police officer. Also named Glenn, he could be heard in the flurry of scanner traffic Wednesday night after Doss was shot.

His request over the airwaves was resounding: "Please pray for my son."

And those sentiments were echoed Sunday as he reflected on his family's loss.

"First of all we want to thank everyone for their prayers and their support that they sent up to God for my son," the father said. "I want to thank God for the 25 years that have allowed me the honor and the pleasure to raise such a great young man, who was so positive and who was so humble.

“There has never been a time, it has been more dangerous to be a Detroit police officer than the last year and a half," the mayor said. "There have been more shootings of police officers than I can ever remember, and yet the 2,500 men and women of the department go out there every day. And I would say to the folks of this city: When you see a police officer, thank them for their courage and their service.”

Doss’s partner, officer Samuel Anderson also spoke at the news conference. He thanked God and recognized the people who have trained him throughout the years, because this allowed him to react quickly the night his partner was shot.

“To this day I still remain ambitious, I still remain courageous, I still get out there and do the job,” Anderson said.

Doss, who joined the force nearly two years ago, was answering a call on the 5500 block of McDougall Street near East Kirby when a man with a long gun shot him in the head before he could get out of his patrol car.

Around 10:40 p.m. Wednesday a man called police and said he assaulted his wife, then a woman called and said her father might have fired shots.

When officers arrived, they saw a 43-year-old man standing outside a home with a weapon. He then took a stance and fired shots at the police squad car, hitting Doss. Doss’ partner transported him to Detroit Receiving Hospital.

The gunman barricaded himself inside the home until officers threw tear gas into the house and he was eventually captured.

Decharlos O. Brooks, 43, was arraigned Saturday on eight counts of assault with intent to murder, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. Brooks' family has said he has a history of mental illness.

Officer Glenn Doss holding his son, stands with his younger brother and father, who is a fellow Detroit police officer and also named Glenn Doss. (Photo11: handout, Detroit Police Department Public)